Omar Abdullah Says SC Decision On Article 370 'Doesn't Close The Chapter'; Shah Rules Out Its Restoration

Jammu-Kashmir Election: Ex-CM Omar Abdullah reaffirms his party's commitment to restoring Article 370. However, Union Home Minister Amit Shah categorically rejects the possibility

Jammu and Kashmir National Conference (JKNC) Vice President Omar Abdullah reiterated his party's firm stance on the restoration of Article 370, despite the Supreme Court's ruling. Abdullah made it clear that the special status of Jammu and Kashmir remains central to the party's ideology, but acknowledged the complexity of reversing the abrogation.

"Article 370 and the special status of J&K is part of the National Conference's ideology. It's not something that we will surrender. But it's not something that this assembly will be able to do," Abdullah stated in an interview on the ANI Podcast.

He further explained that a significant shift in the central government would be necessary before any progress could be made on the issue. "A couple of government changes will be needed at the centre before we even begin to address this issue. It took the BJP decades to do this, and we are not foolish to think that we will be able to undo it in 5 years," he added.

Abdullah also highlighted the long-term nature of the struggle, drawing parallels with the Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP) decades-long campaign to abrogate Article 370 and construct the Ram Mandir. "When BJP was reduced to 2 MPs in the Parliament, did anyone believe that they would be in a position to do anything on Article 370 or the Ram Mandir? But things changed and it took decades to reach there."

"A court decision does not close the chapter... Court decisions can be changed... That being said, this issue cannot be resolved in the life of this assembly. This assembly is about giving us the assembly and the state that we want," Abdullah asserted in reference to the Supreme Court verdict on the matter.

Amit Shah Calls Article 370 'History' As He Rules Out Its Restoration

However, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, during the BJP's manifesto launch, firmly ruled out any possibility of Article 370's restoration. Shah declared that Article 370 "has become history and will never return," underscoring the government's firm position on the matter.

In his address, Shah also took a swipe at Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, questioning his silence on the JKNC's manifesto, which advocates for the restoration of Article 370. "Rahul Gandhi must clarify whether Congress agrees with NC’s agenda. A simple yes or no. Silence won’t work," Shah insisted. He criticised previous governments for "bowing to separatism," and emphasised that the abrogation of Article 370 has brought "peace, development, and social justice" to the region.

Shah’s visit to Jammu marks the beginning of the BJP's campaign for the upcoming assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir. This election will be the first in the region since the revocation of its special status in August 2019 and its reorganisation into two Union territories.

Shah also slammed the JKNC's manifesto, highlighting its controversial points, including the release of stone pelters, reviewing cases of those arrested for terror links, and restoring Article 370 with two flags. "How can a party issue such a manifesto with Congress backing it?" Shah questioned, further intensifying the political discourse ahead of the elections.